Hand Strap of a Pole

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a hand strap of a pole, the hand strap including a strap part ( 1 ) surrounding the user&#39;s wrist and extending to bottom edge of the hand and to the palm section and a fastening strap ( 2 ) attached to the strap part which is used to fasten the hand strap to the handle of a pole. According to the invention, the hand strap includes one fastening strap ( 2 ), which functions as a power transmission strap; and the first end ( 7 ) of the fastening strap is fastened to the part ( 4 ) of the strap part situated on the side of the palm; and the part ( 8 ) of the fastening strap to be attached to the handle of a pole is fitted to start substantially from the middle section ( 9 ) of the user&#39;s palm.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the hand strap of a pole and, specifically, ofa walking pole, a ski pole, a downhill skiing pole or a hiking pole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known in prior art are various hand straps to be fastened to the handleof a pole for transmitting the user's power to the pole.

Known from publication U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,674 is a system for attachinga ski pole to the user's hand in which the hand strap comprises asheathing and elements for transmitting the power from the user to theski pole; and the fastening elements between the hand strap and the poleare fitted to the pivot of the user's hand with respect to the ski pole,the pivot being disposed in the section of the junction between thethumb and forefinger of the user's hand.

Known from publication WO 03/061785 is a matching handle of a pole and ahand strap to be fastened to it. The hand strap comprises a strap partsurrounding the back and bottom edge of a hand and two transmissionstraps that pass underneath the palm and the end of the thumb, the powertransmission straps being arranged so as to pass from the palm of auser's hand to the handle, attaching to it.

Prior-art hand straps have at least either two separate transmissionstraps or at least a circle formed from two transmission straps fortransmitting the powers from the user's hand to the pole. In addition,in most of the prior-art hand straps the power transmission is performedfrom the hand's pivot, i.e. from the section of the junction between thethumb and the forefinger to the pole.

A problem with the prior-art hand straps is their usability. The hand istied to a hand strap and you cannot easily and fast free your hand e.g.to fix your clothing.

A further problem with the prior-art hand strap systems is the too tighta fastening of the hand to the handle of the pole. This increases therisk of injury e.g. when toppling over when the hand is tied by thestrap too much, and one cannot free the hand fast enough.

Furthermore, a part of the prior-art hand straps loads the handunnecessarily in relation to the achieved power transmission.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks referred toabove.

One specific objective of the invention is to disclose a novel handstrap having just one power transmission strap and which is used toachieve a more powerful power transmission than using the prior-art handstraps. A further objective of the invention is to disclose a hand strapwhich has a better usability compared to the prior-art straps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hand strap in accordance with the invention is characterised by whathas been presented in the claims.

The invention relates to the hand strap of a pole, preferably of awalking, a ski, a hiking or a downhill skiing pole which is designed tobe fitted to the user's hand and by means of which the user's power canbe transmitted to the pole. The hand strap in accordance with theinvention includes a strap part surrounding the user's wrist andextending to the bottom edge of a hand and to the palm, and a fasteningstrap attached to the strap part which can be used to fasten the handstrap to the handle of the pole. According to the invention, the handstrap includes just one fastening strap which functions as a powertransmission strap; and the first end of the fastening strap is fastenedto the part situated on the side of the palm of the strap part along thedesired length; and the part of the fastening strap to be attached tothe handle of the pole is fitted to start substantially from the middlesection of the user's hand or from the middle. The power transmissionstrap is arranged to run along an optimal line on the palm side,enabling straight-lined movement of the pole, thus enabling optimal pulland push movements of the pole.

The strap part is so shaped that the end of the fastening strap to befastened to the pole is fitted so as to start from the upper edge of thepart of the hand strap situated on the side of the palm, substantiallyfrom the middle of the user's hand towards the upper edge of the handand the pole when the hand strap is fitted to the user's hand.

In one embodiment of the invention, the part surrounding the wrist is soshaped that it forms a wristband. In one embodiment, the wristband isopen with a buckle arranged at the first open end thereof and with anadjustment strap at the second open end thereof. In an alternativesolution, the hand strap is not open but a closed circle with thewristband comprising an elastically stretching component enabling one topass the wristband to the user's hand.

In one embodiment of the invention, arranged at the end of theadjustment strap, on the first side thereof, is a Velcro tape; andarranged on the first side of the part surrounding the wrist is anadhesive surface. In an alternative solution, arranged at the end of theadjustment strap, on the first side thereof, is an adhesive surface; andarranged on the first side of the part surrounding the wrist is anadhesive band. Advantageously, the adjustment strap can be passed thoughthe buckle, and the adhesive band of the adjustment strap can then befolded against the adhesive surface of the wrist part, or vice versa tofasten the adhesive band to the adhesive surface, enabling one to adjustthe wrist part to fit the user's hand.

An adhesive band is herein used to mean any adhesive band having smallburdock-like barbs or the like, and an adhesive surface is used to meanthe corresponding surface of the adhesive band which is substantiallyfluffy and to which the adhesive band can be fastened.

In one embodiment of the invention, the strap part comprises a partsurrounding the user's thumb.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first end of the partsurrounding the thumb is attached to the part surrounding the wrist onthe side of the back of a hand, and the second end is attached to thepart situated on the side of the palm, whereby the part surrounds thethumb, passing between the thumb and the forefinger.

In one alternative solution, the part surrounding the thumb is fitted tosurround the thumb from every side, and it is attached to the partsurrounding the wrist in the section of the thumb end, which extendsfrom the back of the hand to the palm.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the strap part has beenformed from a uniform component. In one embodiment, the uniform strappart is so shaped that it comprises a part surrounding the thumb, andthe open second end of the part surrounding the thumb can be attached tothe palm section of the strap part. In an alternative solution, the partsurrounding the thumb is formed from a different component than the restof the strap part. The part surrounding the thumb can be formed from adifferent material than the rest of the strap part.

The basic idea of the invention is that the fastening strap is notfastened to the part surrounding the thumb. The fastening strap runstowards the pole specifically from the part situated on the side of thepalm from the middle of the palm, not from the part surrounding thethumb and not from the pivot of the hand.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the part of the fasteningstrap that can be fastened to the handle of a pole, i.e. the second endof the fastening strap, is formed from a duplex strap material. In oneembodiment, the part of the fastening strap to be attached to the handleof a pole is doubly bent and connected e.g. by sewing. Preferably, theaforementioned second free end has at least one fastening loop, morepreferably two fastening loops. Preferably, the fastening loop has beenformed by connecting the strap material layers with one another at agiven distance from the second end of the fastening strap and byomitting the connecting along a given distance. The connecting can bedone e.g. by sewing transverse junctions in the strap for formingfastening loops in the strap. By means of the fastening loops the handstrap can be easily attached to any known handle. This means that theuser does not need to have poles of his or her own.

The fastening strap is formed from a material, preferably elastic, knownper se and suitable for the purpose. The strap part is formed from asingle or multi layer material known per se and suitable for thepurpose, which layer feels comfortable against the user's hand.

In one embodiment of the invention, the strap part comprises a partpartly surrounding the back of a hand of a user.

The hand strap of the invention is designed as an easy-to-use and safestrap solution which is suitable for users of various ages and differenttypes of user groups.

In designing the pole strap in accordance with the invention one hastaken into account the biomechanical phases of the push and pullmovements of the use of the pole that are realised in Nordic walking,skiing and hiking. According to the invention, the push and pullmovements are supported by just one power transmission strap which runsalong an optimal line on the palm side. This enables straight-linedmovement of the pole, thus resulting in optimal push and pull movementsof the use of the pole. This enables one to achieve an efficient powertransmission.

The hand strap in accordance with the present invention enables you toeasily free your hand from the handle of the pole e.g. when you toppleover, reducing the risk of injury in the palm section. The hand strapdoes not tie the user's hand to the handle of the pole. The hand strapin accordance with the invention enables you to freely use your hand toperform other functions, e.g. to open your zip, to empty your pocket, toadjust a pulse counter or watch, etc., when using the pole.

In the embodiment of the invention in which the hand strap includes apart surrounding the thumb, a control movement of the thumb guides thepole so as to run along an optimal track of motion in a back and forthmovement, but does not, however, wholly fasten the palm to the handle ofthe pole. In this embodiment, you can easily free your thumb from thepart surrounding the thumb, enabling you to freely use your hands. It iseasy and fast for you to put your thumb back into the thumb aperture.

The hand strap of the invention is easy and fast to put in hand and takeoff. By means of the adhesive band and the buckle it is easy and fast toadjust the hand strap to the desired size surrounding the wrist. Thanksto the hand strap the pole is carried along in different situations.

The pole strap of the invention is suited for e.g. Nordic walking,skiing, downhill skiing and hiking.

The pole straps of the invention, in various applications, are suitedfor different user groups. For example, a strap which is made of a solidbut elastic material is specifically suited for users with arthrosis andfor those suffering from rheumatism. In this embodiment it is importantthat the strap does not put any Pressure e.g. on the joint zone.

LIST OF FIGURES

In the following section, the invention will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 represents one embodiment of a hand strap in accordance with theinvention when opened and laid out on a plane surface;

FIG. 2 represents the hand strap as shown in Example 1 when put into theform of use;

FIG. 3 a represents the hand strap as shown in Example 1 when in use asseen from the side of the back of a hand;

FIG. 3 b represents the hand strap as shown in Example 3a as seen fromthe side of the back of a hand; and

FIG. 4 represents another embodiment of a hand strap in accordance withthe invention when opened and laid out on a plane surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The hand strap of a pole as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 a and 3 b comprises astrap part 1. The strap part consists of a part 3 surrounding the user'swrist and of parts extending to the bottom edge 5 of the hand and to thepalm 4. The strap part is formed from a uniform component. In addition,the hand strap comprises one fastening strap 2 fastened to the strappart 1, by means of which the hand strap can be fastened to the handleof the pole. The fastening strap 2 functions as a power transmissionstrap. The first end 7 of the fastening strap is fastened to the part 4of the strap part 1 that is situated on the side of the palm along theentire height of the palm part 4. The strap part 1 and the part thereofsituated on the side of the palm 4 are formed to have such a shape thatthe part 8 of the fastening strap 2 to be attached to the handle of thepole starts substantially from the middle 9 of the user's hand towardsthe upper edge of the hand and the handle of the pole when the handstrap is in the user's hand.

The part 3 surrounding the wrist is so shaped that it forms an openwristband when the hand strap is opened and laid out on a plane.Arranged at the first open end 10 of the wristband is a buckle 12 andarranged at the second open end 11 is an adjustment strap 13.Furthermore arranged at the end of the adjustment strap 13, on the firstside 14 of the adjustment strap, is an adhesive surface 17; and arrangedon the first side of the part surrounding the wrist is an adhesive band16. While in use, the adjustment strap 13 is arranged to be passedthough the buckle 12; and the adhesive band of the adjustment strap canthen be folded against the adhesive band of the wrist part, and to befastened thereto. This enables one to adjust the length and tightness ofthe wrist part to fit the user's hand.

The uniform strap part 1 also comprises a part 6 surrounding the thumbof a user. The first end 18 of the part surrounding the thumb isattached to the part 3 surrounding the wrist on the side of the back ofa hand 20, and the open second end 19 is attached to the part 4 situatedon the side of the palm, whereby the part surrounds the thumb, passingbetween the thumb and the forefinger. The first end 18 of the partsurrounding the thumb proceeds continuously from the part 3 surroundingthe wrist. The second end 19 of the part surrounding the thumb isattached to the part 4 situated on the side of the palm by sewing.

The part 8 of the fastening strap which can be attached to the handle ofa pole, i.e. the second end of the fastening strap, is doubly bent andconnected e.g. by sewing a first stitch 22 in the trans-verse directionof the fastening strap 2 at a distance from the fold and a secondtransverse stitch 23 at a distance from the first stitch 22, preferablyin conjunction with the upper edge of the palm part 4 of the strap part1. In that case, two fastening loops 21 are formed in the part 8 of thefastening strap 2 that is to be fastened to the handle of a pole.

Concerning the rest of the parts, the hand strap as shown in FIG. 4corresponds to the hand strap as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 a and 3 b, butthe hand strap of FIG. 4 comprises a part 6 surrounding the thumb thatis fitted to surround the thumb from every side. The part 6 surroundingthe thumb which has been formed from a different material and from adifferent component than the rest of the strap part has been attached bysewing to the part 3 surrounding the wrist along the entire section ofthe thumb end, the section extending from the back of a hand to the palmside.

In one embodiment example, the fastening strap can be formed from anylon material. The strap part can be formed from a two-layer materialwhose inner layer feels comfortable against the user's hand. Thematerials of the strap part may include PCV-based materials. Inaddition, the strap part can be edged with a suitable seam binding, e.g.with a nylon type seam binding.

The invention is not limited merely to the examples referred to above;instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventiveidea defined by the claims.

1. A hand strap of a pole, the hand strap including a strap part (1)surrounding the user's wrist and extending to the bottom edge of a handand to the palm, and a fastening strap (2) attached to the strap partwhich can be used to fasten the hand strap to the handle of the pole,characterized in that the hand strap includes one fastening strap (2)which functions as a power transmission band; and the first end (7) ofthe fastening strap has been attached to the part (4) of the strap partthat is situated on the side of the palm; and the part (8) of thefastening strap to be attached to the handle of the pole is fitted tostart substantially from the middle section (9) of the user's palm. 2.The hand strap as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the part (3)surrounding the wrist has been so shaped that it forms a wristband. 3.The hand strap as defined in claim 2, characterized in that thewristband (3) is open; and arranged at the first open end (10) thereofis a buckle (12); and arranged at the second open end (11) thereof is anadjustment band (13).
 4. The hand strap as defined in claim 2,characterized in that arranged at the end of the adjustment strap (13),on the first side (14) of the adjustment strap, is an adhesive band(16); and arranged on the first side (15) of the part (3) surroundingthe wrist is an adhesive surface (17).
 5. The hand strap as defined inclaim 2, characterized in that arranged at the end of the adjustmentstrap (13), on the first side (14) of the adjustment strap, is anadhesive surface (17); and arranged on the first side (15) of the part(3) surrounding the wrist is an adhesive band (16).
 6. The hand strap asdefined in claim 1, characterized in that the strap part (1) comprises apart (6) surrounding the user's thumb.
 7. The hand strap as defined inclaim 6, characterized in that the first end (18) of the part (6)surrounding the thumb is attached to the part (3) surrounding the wriston the side situated in the back of a hand (20), and the second end (19)is attached to the part (4) situated on the side of the palm,surrounding the thumb and passing between the thumb and the forefinger.8. The hand strap as defined in claim 6, characterized in that the part(6) surrounding the thumb is fitted to surround the thumb from everyside and is attached to the part (3) surrounding the wrist in thesection of the thumb end, the section extending from the back of a handto the palm.
 9. The hand strap as defined in claim 1, characterized inthat the strap part (1) is formed from a uniform component.
 10. The handstrap as defined in claim 9, characterized in that the uniform strappart (1) has been so shaped that it comprises a part (6) surrounding thethumb; and the open second end (19) of the part surrounding the thumbcan be fastened to the palm section (4) of the strap part.
 11. The handstrap as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the part (6)surrounding the thumb is formed from a different component than the restof the strap part (1).
 12. The hand strap as defined in claim 1,characterized in that the part (8) of the fastening strap that can befastened to the handle of a pole is formed from a double material. 13.The hand strap as defined in claim 12, characterized in that the part(8) of the fastening strap to be fastened to the handle of a pole isdoubly bent and connected together.
 14. The hand strap as defined inclaim 12, characterized in that formed in the part (8) of the fasteningstrap that is to be attached to the handle of a pole is at least onefastening loop (21).
 15. The hand strap as defined in claim 12,characterized in that formed in the part (8) of the fastening strap thatis to be attached to the handle of a pole are two fastening loops (21).16. The hand strap as defined in claim 1, characterized in that thestrap part (1) comprises a part partly surrounding the user's back of ahand (20).